Plus crisp air blowing against your skin and glassy water reflecting a spectacular sunrise are other perks of cruising across Grenada Lake, even if it means waking up at 5 a.m.

Grenada Lake is known as one of the best crappie lakes in the country, which is good news for those who don’t like to fight with their food.

Crappie are some of the easiest fish to catch...and the tastiest to eat in my humble opinion. They usually go for minnows or crappie jigs, a small, rubber skirted bait designed specifically for that fish.

My best catch was in a wide cove. Every time our minnows hit the water, the fish were biting. Between three of us we caught 35 fish.

Large mouth bass are also plentiful. They come out when the water cools down. And they make you work to catch them!

Bait and lures can be purchased at any of the various bait shops in Grenada, along with a fishing license.

My grandfather has caught more fish at Grenada than at any other fishing spot he's ventured to across the globe. And over the years, he’s been quite the explorer in search of the best angling locales!

He says the dead timber in the Grenada water creates the perfect conditions for catching bass.

He advises going in October and November when you’re also more likely to hit your max of crappie.

Full-featured campsites are available along Grenada Dam (One view of the dam is at right*). For information and reservations, call 662-226-8963.

Breath in the majestic scenery and view frisky wildlife in the Ozarks as you’re flowing along the White River in Mountain Home, AR.

It's a lucrative fishing spot and a peaceful retreat with gorgeous scenery. Gaze into the chilly, crystal clear waters and watch rainbow and brown trout pass by. You may even spot an otter or an eagle.

My family and friends visit White River several times a year and usually come back with a massive loot of trout.

Above left, one fisherman shows his morning's catch to an Arkansas fish and wildlife officer.*

River fishing is quite different from lake fishing since you’re always moving with the current. Instead of reeling in and out continuously, some choose to float the line.

But my mom says "you’ve got to keep your eyes on it bee bopping along so you can distinguish between the bait bouncing on the river bed and a trout pulling your line."

If you’re brave enough, you can put on some waders and go a bit offshore.

Translation? Waders are fisherman's boots that extend over the knees. (At left, see the photo of a White River angler wearing waders)

When the river was low one summer, a group of us waded into the cold, shallow waters without waders. We were easily snagging brown trout with wax worms and power bait, a colorful, clay-like substance. One of our group caught an 11-pound trophy brown trout which ended up on this lucky angler’s wall.

River fishing is also a chillier sport. Bundle up and head for water.

November is a great time to fish for trout, particularly below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams, where brown trout make their spawning runs.

The Ozarks are stocked with a range of campgrounds, cabins and lake houses. If you want to stay in a lake house just walking distance from the river, you may store your boat at Norfork Trout Dock (800-499-5500 or www.norfork.com/troutdock). Or, v

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Holli W. Haynie, a freelance writer based in Memphis, TN, contributes to local, regional and national publications. She specializes in lifestyle, health, culture, family and travel. She is currently expanding her reach into the literary world while completing a teen novel.

*Photos are owned, copyrighted and used courtesy of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the Arkansas Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and the Grenada, MS, Chamber of Commerce. All rights reserved. Do not link to nor copy these photos. Thank you.